For Immediate Release

McEntee on King Anniversary: “We Must Create an America That Lives Up to Its Ideals”

Statement from AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on the anniversary of the 1968 AFSCME Sanitation Strike in Memphis and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Washington, D.C. —

AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee issued the following statement on the anniversary of the 1968 AFSCME Sanitation Strike in Memphis and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.:

“Forty years ago this week in Memphis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood in solidarity with 1,300 AFSCME sanitation workers – workers denied their rights as free men and city employees. Forty years after the historic events in Memphis, we honor the man and the vision best by taking action to achieve a better America.

“Dr. King’s dream inspires our fight against an intolerant administration that puts profits before people, that rewards wealth instead of work. We have suffered under it for more than seven long years. We must end the nightmare and build the dream. We must create an America where opportunity is abundant and prosperity is shared. We must create an America that lives up to its ideals.”

AFSCME's 1.6 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in hundreds of different occupations — from nurses to corrections officers, child care providers to sanitation workers — AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.

AFSCME is the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. Our 1.6 million members provide the vital services that make America happen. AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.